Dave Gurney, a highly decorated detective now retired from the NYPD, is has just finished giving a lecture to a bunch of cadets when he receives a phone call. An old partner, and one he owes a debt to, has just called, wanting to connect with him and discuss an unusual case. Somewhat reluctantly, Dave agrees to a quick meeting with Mike Morgan. When Mike arrives at Dave’s Walnut Creek home, he details some rather unusual events that have taken place in the town of Larchfield where he, much to Dave’s surprise, is their chief of police. The tale, tall at best, has culminated in the murder of a very wealthy individual, with the only prints left behind appearing to belong to the town bad boy, Billy Tate. The only problem – Billy is dead – due to a freak accident a day before the murder. Somewhat reluctantly, but a bit intrigued, Dave agrees to take a look…
Upon his arrival to Larchfield, Dave sees a picturesque town that is essentially owned and run by the wealthy patriarchs who reside there, one of whom, Angus Russell, is now deceased. The evidence clearly points to a young man, who died after being struck by lightning while defacing the towns church steeple. But when they attempt to verify the ID of the body in the coffin at the funeral home, they discover an empty box, with a lid that was broken out of……and video showing the apparent resurrection of the young man.
As Dave and the Larchfield Police search for an apparent ghost, more sightings of the formerly deceased Billy Tate are reported, along with his trademark orange Jeep, as he leaves a wake of victims in his path, along with an eerie calling card, painted in a victim’s blood that reads, ‘I am the dark angel who rose from the dead’. But what is Tate’s real objective? And how could he have possibly survived a lightning strike and a fall? Looking for more insight into the town and its people, Gurney calls upon a crusty but dependable old friend, Jack Hardwick.
As the investigation heats up, and a town is gripped in fear wondering who is next, Gurney quietly works in the background, asking questions, perusing crime scene video and amassing information as he slowly puts the pieces together that others don’t seem to see…until a quiet plan to draw out a murderer results in a showdown that even Gurney doesn’t see coming….
This is the seventh novel in the Dave Gurney series, and another stellar read! John Verdon reminds me a lot of Jeffrey Deaver with his character development, with the intricate storylines and intriguing personalities of his characters, along with the sheer brilliance of the unexpected as you race page by page to try to beat Dave to the finish line – but you won’t! He’ll outfox you every time!! A great series and a must read if you’d like a break from the predictable who-dun-it!!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!
Tropical Delusions...... 